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The importance of apprenticeships to UK business

The importance of apprenticeships to UK business

We are marking National Apprenticeship Week, Monday 3 to Friday 7 March, by emphasising the need to address an industry skills shortage through investment in the next generation of homebuilders.

We are pleased to support the initiative, having introduced a new site management apprenticeship scheme last year. So far, six new apprentices have been recruited by Taylor Wimpey for this new scheme and we aim to attract around 100 new recruits to the scheme by the end of 2015.

Additionally, in 2013, our trade apprenticeship scheme saw 49 young people recruited to the business – up 44% from the 34 who joined in 2012 – while 23 new management trainees were also employed – up 76% from 13 in 2012. In addition, 11 individuals also joined the graduate programme which has now been running for 11 years.

Maria Pilfold, Human Resources Director at Taylor Wimpey, said: “It’s vitally important that all businesses recognise the need to invest in their future success.

“There is currently a shortage of skills across our industry and we must nurture the next generation of homebuilders to ensure that we have the right skills to keep delivering much-needed homes in the years to come.”

At one of our forthcoming developments in East London – Chobham Manor, located at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the site of the 2012 London Olympics – 24 new apprenticeships are set to be created during six years of construction.

Meanwhile, we are providing further support for future homebuilders by sponsoring the construction course at the newly-established Buckinghamshire University Technical College in Aylesbury.